DIMAPUR, June 29 - The mortal remains of NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu who passed away in a New Delhi hospital on Tuesday will be flown to Dimapur by a special chartered flight tomorrow.
Sources said Swu�s body will be brought to Dimapur airport on June 30 by a special chartered plane and taken straight to Camp Hebron, the NSCN-IM headquarters. On July 1, the NSCN-IM will accord a state funeral to Swu at its headquarters. Later, his body will be taken to his native Chishilimi village in Zunheboto district on July 2.
People from all walks of life carried out a candle light vigil in memory of Swu in Dimapur and Ukhrul on Tuesday night.
Swu, who died after fighting kidney ailment for months, is survived by his wife Khulu, five sons and one daughter. He was 87. Late Isak Chishi Swu, son of late Kushe Chishi Swu of Chishilimi village, was born on November 11, 1929.
Condolences from various quarters, including Nagaland and Assam Governor PB Acharya, Odisha Governor SC Jamir and Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang, are pouring in for late Swu.
Expressing great shock at Swu�s death, Acharya, in a codolence message, said, �The Nagas have lost one of the most influential and courageous leaders.�. The vacuum caused by his departure will be very hard to fill, he stated.
Noting that Swu spent all his life for the cause of Nagas, Acharya said the contribution of the NSCN-IM chairman on the framework agreement signed between the Centre and NSCN-IM has been enormous.
Odisha Governor SC Jamir has expressed shock at the passing away of the NSCN-IM chairman. In his condolence message, Jamir said, �basically religious minded, he had always a firm belief in peace and non-violence. Prior to joining the Naga movement, he was one of the champions to restore peace in the trouble-torn Nagaland in the late fifties.�
Nagaland Chief Minister has also expressed grief at the demise of the NSCN-IM chairman. Describing Swu as �a thorough gentleman, soft-spoken and God-fearing�, Zeliang said he always had a word of guidance for the younger Naga leaders. He also prayed that the departed soul find eternal solace.
Imphal Correspondent adds: Condolences messages continues to pour in from various quarters after news of the death of Chairman of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) Isak Chishi Swu besides sharing the grief of the bereaved family.
The Co-ordination Committee (CorCom), a committee of several valley-based armed organisations, expressed its heartfelt condolence on the demise of Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM), who expired in a New Delhi hospital after a prolonged illness.
The Tangkhul Hoho Nagaland (THN)also condoled his death. �The end of the great legendary leader is a great, great loss for Nagas�, THN said in a statement.
Naga Students Federation and Naga People�s Front Central Office also condoled the untimely demise of Swu.
Newmai News adds: NSCN-IM has announced a seven-day mourning as a mark of respect to late Isak Chishi Swu. The outfit said the mourning will be observed throughout �Nagalim� till July 4. �During the state mourning period, the national flag shall fly half-mast in all the government offices (GPRN) and there will be no official entertainment,� the NSCN-IM said.
